ISSN 0258 - 7122

Bangladesh J. Agril. Res. 32(3) : 393-402, September 2007

RESPONSE OF OKRA SEED CROP TO SOWING TIME

AND PLANT SPACING IN SOUTH EASTERN
HILLY REGION OF BANGLADESH
1
M. MONIRUZZAMAN , M. Z. UDDIN2 AND A. K. CHOUDHURY3

Abstract

A field experiment on okra cv. BARI Dherosh–1 comprising four sowing times
starting from February to May (15th day of each month) at monthly interval and
four spacings (60 × 30, 60 × 40, 60 × 50, and 60 × 60 cm) was conducted at the
Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Raikhali, Rangamati Hill District to find
out the most suitable sowing time and optimum plant spacing for the two
consecutive years of 1997 and 1998. The highest seed yield (2.97 t/ha) was
recorded from 15 April sowing closely followed by 15 March sowing (2.77
t/ha) whereas the best quality seed was obtained from 16 February (88.7%
germination and 29.75 seed vigour index) and 15 March (83.7% germination
and 28.80 seed vigour index) sowing. Plant spacing of 60 × 40 cm produced the
highest seed yield of okra (2.86 t/ha) followed by 60 × 30 cm spacing (2.80
t/ha). The germination percentage and seed vigour index were unaffected due to
different plant spacings. 15 April sowing accompanied with 60 × 30 cm spacing
gave the highest seed yield (3.13 t/ha) closely followed by 60 × 30 cm spacing
with the same sowing time (3.06 t/ha). The seed yield did not decline in 15
March sowing having similar spacings.

Key Words: Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench), sowing time, plant spacing,
hilly regions.

Introduction
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) originated in Asia and Africa
(Thomson and Kelly, 1979) is an important summer vegetable in Bangladesh
(Rashid, 1999). It is a nutritious vegetable which plays an important role to meet
the demand of vegetables of the country when vegetables are scanty in the market
(Ahmed, 1995). These green fruits are rich sources of vitamins, calcium,
potassium, and other minerals. In Bangladesh, it is known as Dherosh, which is
also called Bhindi in India and Pakistan (Rashid, 1999). Its tender pods are used
as vegetables. It is cultivated throughout Bangladesh but its average national
yield is poor, only 3.07 t/ha (Anon., 2000). The yield is very low as compared to
the yield 97-10 t/ha of other developed countries of the world (Thomson and

1ScientificOfficer (Horticulture) ARS, Raikhali Chandraghona, Rangamati Hill District-

4531, 2Senior Scientific Officer (OFRD), Comilla, 3Senior Scientific Officer OFRD,
Sylhet, Bangladesh.
RESPONSE OF OKRA 394

Kelly, 1979). The yield could reach as high as 30 t/ha (Koay and Chua, 1978).
The unavailability of quality seed is the most important reason for low yield.
Sowing time has a great impact on seed production and quality of okra (Singh et
al., 1986; Hossain et al., 1999; Yadav and Dhankhar, 2001). Plant population or
plant density is another important factor that affects okra seed production.
Suitable plant spacing can lead to optimum seed yield whereas too high or too
low plant spacing could result in relatively low yield and quality (Absar and
Siddique, 1982). So, optimum plant spacing can lead to optimum seed yield. The
plant spacing for okra seed production suggested by different authors ranges from
20 to 40 cm and 30 to 60 cm between rows (Hossain et al., 1999; Rastagie el al.,
1987; Thakur and Arora, 1986; Khan and Jaisal, 1988). The information available
so far regarding sowing time and plant spacing for okra seed production is
inadequate under north-eastern hilly areas of Bangladesh. Therefore, the present
investigation was carried out to find out the most suitable sowing time and
optimum plant spacing to achieve higher yield and quality seed of okra (cv. BARI
Dherosh-1).

Materials and Method

The experiment was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Raikhali in
the district of Rangamati during the summer seasons of 1997 and 1998. The
climate of the area is subtropical with extreme hot during summer. The
temperatures from February to August during 1997 and 1998 were more or less
similar but total rainfall of 1998 was higher than that of 1997 (Fig. 1). The
experimental field belongs to AEZ 29 with the piedmont plain soil having
medium loamy to moderately fine texture (sandy clay loam). The soil was poor in
organic matter and moderately acidic. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were
low in soil. N and P were below critical limit and K was just above the critical
level (Table 1). The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design with three
replications, having four sowing times (15 February, 15 March, 15 April and 15
June) as main plot treatment and four spacings (60 × 30, 60 × 40, 60 × 50, and 60
× 60 cm) as sub-plot treatments. There were 16 treatment combinations
altogether. The unit plot size was 6 m × 2.4 m.
RESPONSE OF OKRA 395

Table 1. Soil Characteristics of the experimental site (Islam, 1991).

Parameter Soil test value Critical level
Texture Sandy clay loam -
pH 5.7 -
Organic matter (%) 0.63 -
Total nitrogen (%) 0.079 0.12
Available phosphorous (µg/g soil) 9.0 10
Available potassium (meq/100 g soil) 0.17 0.12
Manures and fertilizers were applied to the soil @ 150-100-150 kg/ha N,
P2O5, K2O, and 10 t/ha well rotten cowdung. The total amount of cowdung, TSP,
and MP and one-fourth quantity of urea and MP were applied as basal and the
rest was top dressed into three equal installments 30, 45, and 60 days after
planting. Seeds of BARI Dherosh-1 were soaked in tap water for 24 hours and
they were dibbled with 2 seeds/hill on monthly interval starting from 15 February
of 1977 and 1998. All the recommended cultural and plant protection measures
were followed throughout the experimental period.
Days to 1st and 50% flowering, yield and yield attributes were recorded from
randomly selected 10 plants from the inner rows of the plots. Fresh okra seed of
each treatment was placed in treated sands in laboratory to find out germination
% and seed vigour index. Seed vigour index was calculated by using the formula
suggested by Agarwal (1999) which is as follows :
nd
No.of germinated seeds (first count) No. of germinated seeds (2 count)
Seed vigour index = + + .......
nd
Days to first count Days to 2 count

No. of germinated seeds (final count)

Days to final count
The treatment means were separated by Least Significant Test (LSD) at 5% level of
significance for interpretation of the results.

Results and Discussion

Effects of sowing time
Days to 1st and 50% flowering and yield attributes of okra were significantly
influenced by time of sowing (Table 1 and 2). Days required for 1st flowering
ranged from 34 to 49.5. The earliest flowering observed in 15 May sowing (34
days) followed by 15 April sowing (34.5 days). Days to first harvest were
minimum in 15 April sowing (68.5 days) closely followed by 15 May sowing
(69.5 days). 15 February sowing took maximum days (79 days). The tallest plant
at final harvest (1.89 m) was recorded from 15 April sowing followed
RESPONSE OF OKRA 396
RESPONSE OF OKRA 397

by 15 March (1.87 m) and 15 May (1.85 m) sowings. The shortest plant (0.99 m)
was recorded from 15 February sowing which was statistically different from
other sowings. It might be due to prevailing low temperature in February (average
max. 25.5°C and min. 14.75°C), which ultimately restricted vegetative growth of
the plants (Fig. 1). The observation is in agreement with that of Hossain et al.
(1999).

Fig. 1. Air temperature and rainfall recorded during experimentation in 1997 and 1998 at
Raikhali.
The significantly highest matured fruits per plant (26.86), longest matured
fruits (19.53 cm), maximum fruit diameter (2.03 cm), seeds per fruit (65.01),
1000-seed weight (64.01 g), seed yield per plant (77.98 g), and yield (2.97 t/ha)
were recorded from 15 April sowing. They were identical to 15 March sowing.
Significantly the lowest values for those parameters were observed in 15
February sowing. The result is in close conformity with that of Hossain et al.
(1999).
Seeds sown in either 15 February or 15 March produced the best quality seed
(88.7% and 83.7% germination, 29.75 and 28.80 vigour index, respectively),
whereas 15 April and 15 May sowings produced inferior seed (70% and 72.9%
germination 18.75 and 23.75 vigour index, respectively). The highest germination
percentage and seed vigour index was obtained from 15 February and 15 March
RESPONSE OF OKRA 398

sowing because the fruits faced lower amount of rainfall during their harvesting
period compared to others (Fig. 1). The present findings are in close conformity
of Huda and Samirudding (1987) who recommended that mid February to mid
March are the best time for quality seed production of okra under Bangladesh
condition.

Effects of plant spacings

All the characters studied were significantly affected due to different plant
spacings treatment except days to first flowering, days to first harvest, percentage
of germination, and seed vigur (Table 1, 2, and 3). The closest spacing (60 × 30
cm) forced to grow taller plant and increase seed yield per hectare but reduced
number of mature fruits per plant, length and diameter of mature fruit, number of
seeds per fruit, 1000-seed weight, and seed yield per plant. Rastogi et al. (1987)
also found similar results. Maximum number of mature fruits per plnat (26.70)
was recorded from the widest spacing (60 × 60 cm) having maximum length
(17.67 cm) and diameter (1.98 cm) of fruit. The lowest number of matured fruits
was obtained from the closest spacing (60 × 20 cm) that produced fruits of the
lowest length (15.90 cm) and diameter (1.80 cm). This might be due to
competition for nutrient and space among the plants owing to maximum plant
population. This result is in close conformity of Zanin and Kimoto (1988).
However, there was no significent difference between 60 x 50 cm and 60 x 60 cm
spacing with respect to number of mature fruits per plant, length and diameter of
mature fruits. No significant difference was also observed between 60 x 40 cm
and 60 x 50 cm spacing in terms of those three parameters. The highest number of
seeds per fruit (62.2) and 100-dry seed weight (64.71 g) was recorded in the
widest spacing (60 x 60 cm) identically followed by 60 x 50 cm spacing (59.9
and 63.95 g, respectively). There was no significant difference observed between
60 x 40 cm and 60 x 50 cm spacing in respect of number of seeds per fruit and
weight of 100 dry seeds. Similar trend was also observed in respect of seed yield
per plant. The highest seed yield per plant was obtained from the widest spacing
(60 x 60 cm) closely followed by 60 x 60 cm spacing (83.10 g). The result is
in agreement with the report of Singh et al. (1986) who
RESPONSE OF OKRA 399
RESPONSE OF OKRA 400
RESPONSE OF OKRA 401

Table 4. Effect of sowing time and plant spacing on qualitative characters of okra
seed.
Treatments Germination (%) Seed vigour index
1997 1998 pooled 1997 1998 pooled
Sowing time
15 February 88.3 89.1 88.7 29.5 30.0 29.75
15 March 84.2 83.2 83.7 28.9 28.7 28.80
15 April 70.4 69.5 70.0 18.4 19.1 18.75
15 May 72.3 73.4 72.9 23.1 24.3 23.7
LSD at 5% 1.2 0.98 1.1 0.88 1.06 1.05
Plant spacing
60 × 30 cm 79.4 78.8 79.1 28.4 28.33 28.37
60 × 40 cm 81.3 81.5 81.4 28.62 28.68 28.65
60 × 50 cm 81.5 80.9 81.2 28.73 28.77 28.75
60 × 60 cm 81.9 81.8 81.9 28.78 28.80 28.75
LSD at 5% ns ns ns ns ns ns
CV (%) 8.98 8.87 8.95 6.54 6.32 6.45
Interaction effect between percentage of germination and seed vigour index was not
significant.
reported seed yield of okra was highest at closer spacing. The lowest yield of
seeds per plant (59.27 g) was obtained from the closest spacing (60 x 30 cm). The
highest seed yield per hectare (2.86 t) was recorded from 60 x 40 cm spacing
closely followed by 60 x 30 cm spacing (2.80 t/ha). The widest spacing (60 x 60
cm) gave the lowest seed yield per hectare (1.96 t). The highest seed yield in the
closest spacing might be resulted from increased plant population. The maximum
seed yield of okra achieved by sowing seeds at closer spacing is also reported by
Sarnaik et al. (1986), Khan and Jaisal (1988), Pandey et al. (1979). No significant
difference was observed in respect of germination percentage and seed vigour
index due to different spacings (Table 3).
Combined effects of sowing time and plant spacing
The highest seed yield per plant was obtained from the combination of 15 April
sowing and 60 x 60 cm spacing (90.81 g) closely followed by the same sowing
time at 60 x 50 cm spacing (89.25 g). 15 March sowing at 60 x 60 cm spacing or
the same sowing time at 60 x 50 cm spacing also produced the highest seed yield
per plant followed by 15 April sowing at 60 x 60 cm spacing. 15 April sowing
coupled with 60 x 30 cm spacing produced maximum seed yield per hectare (3.13
t) and closely followed by 60 x 40 cm spacing at the same sowing time (3.06 t) as
well as 15 March sowing either at 60 x 30 cm (3.00 t) or 60 x 40 cm spacing
(2.98 t). There was no significant difference in seed yield per hectare among the
above four treatment combinations. Palanisamy et al. (1986) reported that seed
sowing at 60 x 30 cm spacing in March, April or May gave the best quality seed
in South Indian condition.
It is revealed that okra seeds may be sown on 15 March at 60 x 30 or 60 x 40
cm for higher seed yield and quality seed in the hilly region.
RESPONSE OF OKRA 402

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